Jahy had spent what felt like an eternity combing through Masao's room.
All she had to show for it were some despicable books, each one a chronicle of some poor girl's suffering. Nothing useful. Nothing that could help her.
She finally emerged, a cloud of disappointment hanging over her. Walking away, she pinched her chin in deep concentration.
"That bastard," she muttered under her breath. "There has to be a way to deal with him."
Then, two faces flashed in her mind: Kazumi and Kenji.
'Should I tell them?' she wondered. 'They've been kind, but can I trust them? What if they're in on it? No. To reveal my hand now would be premature. I shall keep that card close.'
A moment later, her eyes snapped wide open.
"Oh! That's it!"
She remembered how Masao had dragged himself home from school yesterday, completely drained of energy.
'That place... the answer might be there.'
Decision made. Jahy changed her clothes, tucked her mana stone securely into a pocket, and headed for the door.
The door clicked shut. Ten seconds later, it swung open again.
"Almost forgot you!"
She darted back into her room and grabbed a small, cat-shaped pouch, fastening it to her waist. Inside were her life savings—5,000 yen (about 30 USD) in allowance money—and the house key.
"Lock the door. Can't be too careful," she reminded herself, double-checking the lock before finally setting off.
Standing on the street, a wave of confusion washed over her. "He goes to Soubu Univesity, right? But... where in the world is that?"
She'd memorized the name but had never bothered with the directions.
"Whatever. I'll just ask someone."
Soubu High's reputation as the top school in Chiba meant nearly everyone knew of it. Coupled with Jahy's cute appearance, passersby were more than willing to point the way for her.
—
The Tanaka house wasn't that far from the school. Even at her leisurely pace, the walk was short.
She stood before the imposing school gates and gave a firm, approving nod.
"So this is the place. It certainly has presence."
Yet, a strange, inexplicable dread coiled in her stomach, an urge to turn and leave. She shook her head, dispelling the feeling.
"I'm already here. No point turning back now."
She took a resolute step forward, only to be stopped—first by the closed gate, and then by the watchful security guard.
"Excuse me, little miss," he said, his tone kindly. "Can I help you with something?"
Jahy immediately planted her hands on her hips, a scowl forming. "Do not call me 'little miss'! You will address me as Jahy!"
The guard didn't take offense. He simply offered a gentle smile.
'Kids' he thought. 'Always in such a hurry to be grown-ups.'
He decided to play along. "My apologies. So, Jahy, are you here to see someone?"
"Correct. I seek Masao. Tanaka Masao."
The guard wracked his memory, but the name didn't stand out. "Is he a student here? Do you know his class?"
"His class?" Jahy tapped her chin. A critical oversight. "I do not. But it is of no consequence."
Seeing no threat in the small, proud girl, the guard saw no reason to refuse her.
"Alright then, little... ah, Jahy. Go on in. If you have trouble finding him, you can ask at the teachers' office or the student council. They'll help you."
"Understood."
Once past the gates, Jahy didn't rush to find Masao. Instead, she chose to observe, her sharp eyes taking in the lay of the land.
—
Jahy had gotten a late start, and the search of Masao's room had taken longer than expected. By the time she arrived at Soubu, the noon lunch bell was ringing.
The campus erupted with life. Students streamed out of classrooms, some beelining for the cafeteria or co-op, others clutching homemade lunch boxes as they scouted for the perfect shady spots under the trees.
The sudden appearance of a lone, pint-sized girl did not go unnoticed.
The boys, terrified of being labeled perverts, kept their distance despite their internal cooing. They stole glances, hearts melting with thoughts of, 'If only she were my little sister... I'd protect that smile forever.'
The girls, however, possessed no such reservations.
"Look, look! That little girl! She's so cute!"
"Ah! She's tiny! She looks so soft, I just want to squeeze her!"
"Is she a teacher's kid? Maybe someone's little sister?"
Jahy's diminutive, doll-like appearance triggered their maternal instincts. The boldest of the group quickly surrounded her.
"Hey there, cutie. What's your name? Are you lost?"
"Are you looking for someone? Just tell us their name, we'll help you find him!"
The circle of older girls didn't intimidate Jahy in the slightest. On the contrary, it felt familiar. This was how it was supposed to be! This was the treatment she was accustomed to back in the Demon World swarms of followers, eager to attend her every whim.
These girls were simply her new, dutiful minions, captivated by her majesty.
'Heh. It seems my charm is as potent as ever in this world,' she thought, preening internally. 'This is how it should be. That blockhead Masao is the odd one.'
She also noted that the school's atmosphere was... wrong.
She had expected a den of malice, a place radiating the same oppressive, dark energy as its student. Instead, the air was light, filled with the sounds of laughter and easy conversation. It was... bright. Happy.
She filed the discrepancy away for later investigation. First, find the target.
Drawing herself up to her full, unimpressive height (in her child form), Jahy announced with imperial pride,
"I am Jahy! And I have come to find Tanaka Masao. You will tell me his whereabouts!"
Her haughty demeanor and arrogant tone had the opposite of the intended effect. The girls found her even more endearing.
One of them could no longer resist. She reached out a mischievous hand and pinched Jahy's cheek.
"Wow! So cute! And her cheeks are so soft and squishy!"
The assault was so sudden, so brazen, that Jahy was struck dumb. By the time her mind registered the lese-majesty, it was too late.
"Hey, that's cheating! No fair starting without us! My turn!" another girl cried, reaching out.
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